Colorado State University’s hurricane forecasting experts predict an above average Atlantic storm season for this year, calling for 15 named tropical storms, of which eight will develop into hurricanes. A storm becomes a hurricane when its sustained wind speeds exceed 74 miles per hour. The CSU experts further expect that four of those eight will become major hurricanes, defined as Category 3, 4 or 5, with wind speeds of at least 111 mph. Historically, ten named storms occur in the Atlantic hurricane season of which six develop into hurricanes, with two major hurricanes. The CSU hurricane forecasts are known for their conservatism, as historically they have tended to underestimate the number of storms more often not. Another forecasting group, AccuWeather, expects an even more severe hurricane season with 16 – 18 tropical storms forming in the Atlantic, leading to seven storms making landfall in the U.S. The U.S. government’s National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration releases its forecast closer to the June 1 start date of the hurricane season. The first three named storms of 2010 will be Alex, Bonnie and Colin. With government budgets exhausted, small businesses in the path of Atlantic storms should expect even less in the way of disaster preparedness and recovery support. Begin making preparations now to protect your business. Develop a budget to set aside $1,000 or so over the next two months for an evacuation fund. Should it not prove necessary, you can release the funds after November 30, when the hurricane season ends, for other purposes.